Maldives Help

hometime

Hi all, I am trying to book my honeymoon to dubai and onto maldives in November 2014. I had a few questions that I am hoping someone with more experience than me can answer:

1)Is it cheaper to book all inclusive now or ask for the all inclusive package when I get to the resort?

2) does anybody know any cheap travel agents that specialise in Maldives?

3) I have been given a really competitive quote from Destinology, are they reputable?

Honestly your help will be so appreciated. Thanks all

richardw

Looks like November is a good time to go http://www.cntraveller.com/guides/asia/maldives/maldives/when-to-go

Don't think Maldives+cheap go together in the dry season.

Where are you in the UK?
How many nights do you want to go for?

How much is the destinology trip if you book flights and hotel separately?

InsideInsurance

I strongly suspect it is cheaper to buy here

Maldives is heavily brochure orientated and unusually will not compete on price at all against others. I was looking to stay at the Hilton Conrad there and the direct with the hotel price was more than double booking via a brochure, even going through comparison sites it was still this. Contacted the hotel who elsewhere are always keen to try and do something and they wouldnt budge an inch/ throw anything in etc.

I did however find it cheaper to book my flights separately to the hotel and my travel agent was able to do hotel only via a brochure. My flights were booked directly with the airline as I was using rewards to upgrade the cabin

hometime

The destinology deal comes up as £6200 which includes the following:

Depart on the 17 November from London Heathrow at 22.00 Arrive Dubai at 08.45 (the following day)

Check in - Hotel Atlantis - Imperial Club Room - Half Board for 04 nights(free upgrade from B&B to half board)

Transfers Included

Depart on the 22 November from Dubai at 03.35 Arrive Male at 8.35

Check in - Lux Maldives - Beach Villa - All Inclusive for 06 nights

Seaplane Transfers Included

25 Kilos per person

Return on the 28 November from Male at 10.00 Arrive Dubai at 13.10 and onwards to LHR 18.15

Total Cost £6200

I have not asked for flights as separately it seems flights come in at 639pp.

hometime

I have had Virgin quote me in access of £14000 for this package but suggested they will price match. I have various quotes between £6900 and £9,000.

I spoke to travel bag 3- 4 times and they all said that I should bite their hand off for this as its cheap. but you know what they say, if it looks too good to believe it normally is! or am i just being silly and should book.

InsideInsurance

Unless you have a fear of water etc I would look at upgrading from a beach villa to a water villa. A higher room grade in maldives would personally be more interesting than the upgraded room in Dubai

What class & airline are all the flights?

hometime

Its the Emirates airline standard economy but I believe Virgin Travel mentioned that if they can price match they will also put me on a list for an upgrade on the flights stating its my honeymoon. It all depends on Emirates if they action this.

InsideInsurance

hometime wrote: »

they will also put me on a list for an upgrade on the flights stating its my honeymoon

Base your decision on what they will give you not what they promise you might get.

You'd be exceptionally rare to get any flight upgrade just because its your honeymoon. You are more likely to get something at a non-fully AI hotel because they think if they make you happier you will spend more with them. There is no such incentive for airlines and so they are more likely to reward their frequent flyers than one off ones

If the Virgin Travel pricematch but switch you to Virgin Atlantic you could always ask them to throw in some freebies "because its your honeymoon" like the chauffeur transport to the airport and access to their lounges. Their LHR lounge is certainly one of the best I've been in.

cashbackproblems

I got bored in the Maldives after a few days, you have almost equally nice white beaches in Thailand and there are many many more trips to do, sights to see at a fraction of the cost. Dubai as well has now become super expensive with one crowded beach.

But packages deals will always be cheaper with a travel agent than direct with hotels or even comparison sites. I have used a travel agent from this site before who got me a good deal, post your itinerary.

hometime

My Intinerary is above "cashbackproblems", however I am going to book with Destinology, they seem reputable have been mentioned many times on moneysaving expert and they are atoll etc protected. I have got him down to £6100 so going to go with it I think.wish me luck

delwynshd

Oh good!!!

I dunno how they have got that so low

I was emailing your partner yesterday never had a reply from him

Enjoy

Del